Soap star hits HMT for hot musical
Emmerdale star in new musical role
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WHEN Richard Grieve was asked to play a gay character in a traditional British soap, he was more than a bit apprehensive.
Emmerdale is modelled on British village life, and Richard was scared of the intolerance he would meet playing Jonny Foster.
So when he had people of all ages waiting for him at the back door of the theatre after his new musical Footloose, Richard was ready for trouble.
Yet he was pleasantly surprised.
“I’ve had women and men of all ages telling me they were sad when I left Emmerdale,” said the 38-year-old, Australian-born actor. “Everyone was really supportive.”
Richard, who lives in South London, reckons the key to Jonny’s popularity was that he questioned common stereotypes of gay men.
“My character was really friendly, popular in the village and went against the stereotype of campness.
“Because of this we could make huge breakthroughs, like Jonny was part of the first gay proposal on Emmerdale.”
After leaving Emmerdale, Richard’s been starring in Footloose, the latest stage musical adapted from a film.
When he got the call from his agent, Richard was worried he might not be flexible enough to carry off Kevin Bacon’s moves.
“I said to my agent I’m a bit old to play Kevin Bacon, am I not?
“My agent laughed, and told me that the role I’d been offered was Reverend Shaw Moore. That’s when I realised I’m at that stage in my career where I play father figures.”
Since 1994 Richard’s starred in Neighbours, Home And Away and Emmerdale.
But out of the roles he’s played, the character in Footloose might be the most challenging yet.
“Although Jonny Foster was challenging, he was likeable whereas Rev Shaw Moore isn’t. He’s the patriarch of the town and has banned dancing.
“I guess you could say he’s a baddie, but I had to get underneath all that and make him human.”
Don’t miss Footloose at Aberdeen’s His Majesty’s Theatre, from September 29.
READ Richard’s My First choices in tonight’s Weekend, free with your Evening Express.
